Apparatus for mounting and dismounting flexible tubes.



W. A. LORBN Z.

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING FLEXIBLE TUBES.

. APPLIOATION FILED MAY 13, 1907. 1,037, 1 59, Patented Aug. 27, 1912.

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APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING FLEXIBLE TUBES. APPLICATION FILED-MAY 13, 1907.

1,037,159, v I P1tentedAug.27,19l2.

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NTING FLEXIBLE TUBES.

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING AND DISMOU APPLICATION FILED MAY 1,037, l 59.,

Patented Aug. 27, 1912.

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- W. A. LORENZ. APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING FLEXIBLE TUBES.

AP I T 0 1,037,159. PL GA I N FILED MAY13 1907 PatentedAug. 27 1912.

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W. A. LORENZ. APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING FLEXIBLE TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, 1907. LU87, 1 59,, Patented Aug. 27, 1912.

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"ornnw YORK, AND oivnronirrn NECTICUT.

WILLIAM A. LORENZ 05F HARTFORD, GONNE ICUT .t'iSSIG'IN'OB CF ONE-HALF T0 BEECH-NUT PACKING COMFANY, OF CANAJOE TO WILLIAM H. I-ION ISS, 0F HARTFORD, CON- ARIE, NE'WYDBK, A' CORPORATION APPAHATUS FOR MO'iIN'TIFFG AND DISMOUNTI'NG FLEXIBLE TUBES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug; 27, 1912.

Application fil ed May 13, 1907. Serial No. 373,451..

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I,- W'iLLiAir A. Lorenz, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Mounting and Dismounting Flexible.

Figure lof the drawings is a side view of this improvedapparatus, a portion thereof being in section along the longitudinal cen ter of the machine. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the mandrel support of the-apparatus. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the tube support on the line 33.of Fig. 1., showing the ports in their collapsed position. with gasket tube surrounding the mandrel. Fig. t is a sectional View on the line 4.--'l Fig. 1, showing another portion of the tube support with a gasket tube thereon. Fig. 5, is a sectional View on the line-55 of Fig. 1, showing the transfer carriage and the base. in which it slides. F ig. 6 is a plan view of the right hand end of the outer portion of the apparatus, shown in Fig. 1.. Fig. 7 shows the right hand end of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a side view of the upper portion of the apparatus. shown 'in' Fig. 1, in which the parts are expanded, together with the gasket tube car- -riedtherebv. Fi 9 is a sectional view on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8, showing the tube support with the expanded tube stretched thereon. Fig. 10 is a side view. partly in section. of the same parts shown in S. in which the carriage has moved the four transfer blades,.together with the expanded gt :-;l et tube, over the mandrel. Fig. 11 is an end View in section-on the line 11. of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a side view ofthe apparatus partly in section showing the parts represented'in 'lig. 10, with two of theitransfer blades withdrawn from the gasket tube, and two more blades about to be withdrawn. Fig. 13 a cross sectional view on the line 13- 13 of Fig-.12, showing the two remaining blades between-themandrel and tube before with-.

vdrawal. Fig-14s is a cross sectional view on the line let-1st of Fig. '12, showing two of the transfer bars or blades upon their eX panded guides. Fig. 15 is a. cross sectional view on the line 15-l5 of Fig. 12, showing the engagement of'the carriage with the two transfer blades shown in Fig. 12 and ready.

to be withdrawn from beneath the tube. Fig. 16 is a side view of the up per portion of the apparatus, showing all four transfer blades withdrawn from the gasket tube. and showing the latter-deposited upon the man drel. Fig. 17 shows a sectional view on the line l7-1T of Fig. 1'6, of the mandrel and the gasket tube deposited thereon. Fig. 18

is a side View of the apparatus, showing the' cut gaskets upon the collapsed tube support. This improved apparatus herein shown and described isadapted to perform an intermediate-cperation in the manufacture of rubber or other suitable gasket material. By. the methods of manufacture to which the present invention relates. these tubes are mounted upon inaiidrels which are then mounted for rotation upon centers or upon a spindle while the gaskets are cut from the tube by a succession of circumferentia-l'cuts 'iei'ietrating the wall of the tube, either at i right angleswith its axis, when making gaskets having a rectangular cross-section. or at an angle with that axis in making acute angled gaskets. The constrictive actionof the tube due to its elasticity is utilized by pushing or puliing' it overa mandrel of a diameter larger than the norma. diameter of the tube. This mounting operation involves obvious difficulties. due to the flexible elastic and clinging character of the gasket material; The constrictive action of the tube around the mandrel surface interferes with the. free distribution of the material and holds it in a more or less unequally distributed coinliti'on while being cut, with the result that the: material more or less unequally changes its form the strains are released by the cutting away of the successive rings,

thereby producing gaskets that ,are'irregular. an size or contour. .Moreover, on account of the clinging and elastic character of drawing or pushing or otherwise mounting the gasket tubes thereon. This roughness, and the clinging character of the gasket material, also interfere materially with the expeditious removal of the cut rings from the mandrel. Any attempt to remove the cut gaskets wholesale or several at. a time from the mandrel. is resisted by the clinging action of the several gaskets, each acting independently; and their resistance is still greater when of the acute angled form shown herein, because of the fact that their interlapping conical faces tend to telescope and wedge each other when attempts are made to push them longitudinally of the material. According to the present invention these diiiicult-ies are avoided by expand-l ing or distending the tube circumferentially by means of bars or'blades extending longitudinally inside of the wall of the tube and placed at intervals around the circumference thereof, spreading the bars out- *wardly to an extent suihcient to enable the bars to slide upon the outer side of the mandrel, then transferring the tube to the mandrel bycarrying the expanded tube. longi tudinally of the mandrel to'its desired resting'place; and then withdrawingthe bars or blades by'successive steps; that is to say separately, or at least less than the whole number at one time, thereby leaving "the tube clinging to 'the mandrel] Having thus mounted thetube upon the mandrel the latter is separated into gaskets by any-desired methodor apparatus. Then the cut gaskets aretransferred from the mandrel by again inserting the aforesaid bars or blades approximately to their former places between the inner sides of the gaskets and the surface of the mandrel; thus expanding the gaskets and transferring their hold from the outer surface lof the mandrel to the outer sides of the transfer bars or blades. The latter are then coincidently withdrawn from the mandrel; or the mandrel is withdrawnfrom the bars, the gaskets remaining upon the outer sides of the bars by their clinging action. After removal from the mandrel the bars are collapsed and the gaskets removed. i

The apparatus herein shown and described for carrying out this process includes transfer bars or blades, nieans'for supporting,

guiding, expanding and contracting the Referring to the drawings, the tube 20 I .nirrounds and rests upon the transfer bars 21, which are here shown to be four in her. The number, width and other d mensions or proportions of these bars should,

however, be suited to the size, thickness,

length and other governing characteristics of the tubes to be handled. These bars are" supported by longitudinally extending expander guides 22, which are longitudinally channeled to receive the transfer bars (Figs.

3, 4t and 9) or otherwise adapted to sup port and guide the transfer bars for longitudlnal movement. The inner surfaces of the bars are preferably curved as herein common center. In the present instance,

they are pivotally mounted t their opposite ends to a central support 23 which is sup ported in a projecting or overhanging position by the bracket 24, preferably being removably secured thereto by means of anut 25. The expander guides 22 are as herein shown preferably connected by means of links 26 with pivots 27 arranged the opposite ends of the guides and proportioned so as to maintain the expander guides in approximately parallel relation to each other as they are swung outwardly and inwardly'from and toward their common cen" ter. These guides are shown in their inward or contracted position in Fig. l. and in their outward or expanded position in Fig. 8, in which latter position the position and relation of the links and bars is such as to practically constitute a toggle joint, the effective force of which increases as the guides approach their outer position shown in Fig.

ward and outward unovements, they are herein shown to be connected by means of the connecting rods 30, with an expander head 31, "which is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement upon a boss 'or hub 32 of the bracket 24:, the boss being squared or provided with a spline ,or other suitable means to prevent the expander head from rotating, while permitting it to slide freely in a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal movement ofthe expander head is effected in any convenient way. In the present embodiment it is effected by 'means of a screw-nut- '33, which screws uponv the threaded portion 34 of the bracket 24 and the mandrel supportfand the'latter'is swung 7 with the selector head 45. turned-to a pos ition to engage two of the transfer bars or "bladcs, the latter are pushed forward'be tween the surface of the mandrel and the innerwall of the cut gaskets,jas indicated in Fig. 13, the clinging friction of the remaining circumferential portions of the gasket against thes'urfac'e' of the mandrel tending to prevent t e gaskets from being pushed cndwise. Then the transfer carriage is moved backand the two other or remaining blades are similarly pushed into position indicated in Fig. 11, thus distending the gaskets so that their inner surfaces wholly, or at least approximately, clear the surface of the mandrel. Then the selector head is turned to engageall of the transfer bars, whereupon the transfer carriage is again moved to the right, carrying with it the gaskets stretched around the outer surfaces of'thc transfer bars 21. The transfer bars and their expanding guides are then collapsed to the position shown in Fig. 18 by turning the screw-nut toward the right so as to collapse the parts to their contracted condition shown in Fig. 1, whereupon the gaskets maybe readily removed. If desired,

the gaskets, or any desired number of them, may be tied together prior to removal by passing a string longitudinally through one of the intervals between the transfer-bars,

' either prior to or after the collapsing operamay be'dispensed with and the transfer bars not, interfere with or modify theprocess of.

transferring the tubes to and from themandrel, or modify the. construction or operation of the transferring and selecting mech anism. Y A.

Although this apparatus is herein'soow'n and described in its specific application to the manufacture of gaskets, it is obvious Then 1 that it may also be employed for other pur poses, which involve, the mounting or dlSf mounting of sleeves ortuhes of flexible ma; terial. The apparatus may bemodified in many ways both generally andfin'det'ail. to

adapt it to'diiferent purposes, The various members of the apparatus may be disposed vertically instead of horizontally as lierein. shown, or may be otherwise altered or trans posed to suitdiflferent conditions.

I claim as toy-invention};- 1, The combination-in means ing flexible tubes, ofa plurality. of transfer members extending longitudinally within. the tube and arranged at 'intervals circumfor .moimtferentially of the tube, spreader Tguides mounted for substantially radialmovement,

and supporting the said members for sliding movement, and means for spreading the said guides outwardly, 2. The combination in means for mounting flexible tubes, of a plurality of expander guides mounted for outward movement relative to a common center, transfer members supported on the'said uides for movement longitudinally there and means for effecting'the said outwardinovement of the guides. v

3. Means for expanding flexible tubes, including expander guides mounted in parallel relationfor movement in an outward direction relative to a common center, transfer members mounted for longitudinalmovement on the said guides,

means for moving the guides, and means for moving the transfer members longitudinall of the guides.

and mounting 4. Means for expanding and mounting mon. center, transfer bars mounted. for longitudinal movement on said guides, means for swinging the said guides to'spread them outwardly, andmeans for-sliding the said bars on their respective guides.

6, Means for expanding flexible-tubes, including a. plurality of'spreader guides pivoted for swinging movement in an approximat-sly parallel relation to each othenand 5 outwardly from a common center, transfer bars mountedfor longitudinal' novement ion said guides, and means including a screw not w,

for spreading the said guides coinciden a ly to distend the tubecircumferentially,

2'; Means for expanding flexible tubes and transferring them to a mandrel, including in combination a central support, expander guides mounted in ward movement relative to a common center, transfer bars mounted for longitudinal movement on said guides, means for expanding the guides, means for supporting amandrel in substantial alinement with the expanded tube, and means for moving the transfer bars longitudinally to transfer the expanded tube to the mandrel.

8. The combination, inmeans for mounting flexible tubes, of expander guides mounted for outward movement relative to a com mon center, transfer members supported on the said guides for movement longitudinally thereof, means for effecting the said outward movement ofthe guides, and means for moving a plurality of the transfer members longitudinally of the guides.

9. The combination, in means for mounting and dismounting flexible tubes, of a mandrel, a plurality of transfer members supported for movement longitudinally of the mandrel, and means for selectively moving the said transler members.

10. The combination, in means for mounting and dismounting flexible tubes, of a mandrel, a plurality of transfer members supported for "movement longitudinally of the mandrel, and means for moving the said transfer members longitudinally either all coincidently, or some of them selectively.-

11. The combination, in means for mounting and dism'ounting flexible tubes, of a plurality of expander guides mounted for outward and inward movement relative to a common center, transfer members supported on the said guides for movement longitudinally thereof, means for effecting the said movements of the guides, and a transfer carriage,'provided with means for selectively engaging some or all of said transfer members to move them longitudinally with the carriage;

12. The combination, in means for mounting and dismounting flexible tubes, of a plurality of expander guides mounted for outward and inward movement relative to a common center, transfer members supported on. the said guides for movement longitudinally thereof, means for. effecting the said movements of the guides, a transfer carriage movable longitudinally of the guides, and a selector head mounted for rotary movement on the carriage and provided with means for selectively engaging with the said transfer members.

13. The combination, in means for mounting flexible -tubes, of a plurality of expander guides mounted for inward and outward movement relative to a common center, transfer members supported on the said guides for movement longitudinally said support for outvided with interrupted for selectively engaging the transfer members to selectlvely move thereof and provided with outwardly extending arms, means for effecting the in-' ward and outward movements of the guides, atransfer carriage-movable longitudinally of the guides, a transfer head mounted for rotary movement on the carriage and encircling the said guides, and provided with abutments for selectively engaging with the said arms of the transfer members to move them longitudinally with the carriage.

14. The combinatiomin means for mounting and dismounting flexible tubes, of a plurality of expander guides mounted for inward and outward movement relative to a common center, transfer members supported. by the said guides for movement longitudinally thereof and provided with outwardly extending arms, means for offecting the inward and outward movements of the guides, a transfer carriage movable longitudinally of the guides, a transfer head mounted on the said carriage and proflange abutments the said arms of some of them, or all of them, of the said guides. I

15. The combination in means for mounting flexible tubes, of a mandrel, a tube support, means appurtenant to the support for expanding the tube and transferring it to the mandrel, and a mandrel siiipport mounted to carry the mandrel into and out of alinement with the tube support.

16. The combinatiomin means for mounting flexible tubes, of a mandrel, a tube support, means appurtenant to the support for expanding the tube and transferring it to the mandrel, and a mandrel support mounted for swinging movement to carry the .mandrel into alinement to receive the tube, and to carry the mandrel out of said alinement to facilitate removal of the mandrel.

' 17. The combination, in means for mount ing flexible tubes, of a mandrel, a plurality of transfer bars extending longitudinally within the tube, means for supporting the bars in position to slide-over the mandrel, and means for moving the said bars to carry them with the tube upon the mandrel.

18. The combination, in means for mounting flexible tubes, of a mandrel, a plurality of transfer bars extending longitudinally within the tube, means for supporting the said bars with theninner surfaces in approximate alinement with the peripheral surface of the mandrel, and means for sliding the bars and the tube together upon the mandrel.

19. The combination, in means for dismounting flexible tubes from a mandrel, of a plurality oftransfer bars inserted between the inner wall of the tube and the periphlongitudinally eral surface of the mandrel, and means for withdrawing the bars and the tube to gether longitudinally fromthe mandrel.

20. The combination, in means for dis mounting flexible tubes from a mandrel, of a plurality of transfer bars extended ion-- gitudinally between the inner Wall of the tube and the peripheral surface of the mandrel, and disposed at intervals around that peripheral surface, and means for With- 'drawing the said bars and the tube longitudinally from the mandrel.

21. Means for transferring flexible tubes to or from a mandrel, including in combination a plurality of transfer bars extending longitudinally between the inner Wall or" the tube and the peripheral surface of the mandrel and disposed at intervals around that peripheral surtace, means for expanding the said bars in a substantially parallel relation, and means for moving the said bars and the tube longitudinally on the mandrel. r 22. Means for transferring flexible tubes to or from a mandrel, including in combination a plurality oftransfer bars extending longitudinally between the inner wall 01" the tube and the peripheral surface of the mandrel, and disposed at intervals around that peripheral surface, means applied approximately at the opposite ends of the bars for expanding them against "the Wall of the tube, and means for moving the sale bars and the tube longitudinally on the mandrel,

WILLIAll/i A. LORENZ.

Witnesses:

NELLlE Piionmx, EDWARD H. LORENZ. 

